Youth Leadership Rowan Application 2026-2027
DEADLINE: APRIL 1 AT 5 P.M.

Eligibility – Applicants must:

• Be a rising Junior in good academic standing.
• Demonstrate leadership potential in their school and/or community.
• Have an interest in furthering their knowledge about our region and community leadership.
• Submit one letter of reference.
• Receive approval by high school principal and/or guidance counselor.
• Be willing to commit to 100% participation.

Application Requirements:
To be considered, candidates must complete this application in its entirety. A completed application includes this document and one letter of reference. Your school must review and submit your application to youthlead@rowanchamber.com no later than April 1, 2026. The reference letter must be emailed from the referencing person, not the student. Your reference may be a teacher, guidance counselor, principal, employer, etc. It cannot be a family member.

Student Commitments:

• RSS will provide transportation to and from sessions.
• Attend all scheduled sessions.
• Attend orientation for participants with a parent/guardian in August 2026.
• Monthly sessions September-March, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (there will be no meeting in December due to exams).
• Graduation will be held in March 2027.
• Attendance at all sessions is expected. Two unexcused absences will result in removal from the program. Being accepted for YLR is similar to signing a contract, both sides have obligations. You will agree to contribute your presence, ideas, and energy, and we agree to challenge you and expose you to new ideas.
• Please consider your commitments prior to submitting an application. College classes and other extra-curricular activities may impact your ability to attend YLR session.
• Students must make appropriate arrangements with teachers for any missed work.
• Students selected to participate agree to submit complete session evaluation in a timely manner.

Attendance Policy:

• Students should be excused from class for all days listed on the Program Calendar.
• Attendance at YLR Program days is mandatory. If a student has two unexcused absences, they may be removed from the program.
  RSS will provide transportation to and from YLR Program days.
• During the day, students will be provided with a lunch, and snacks.
  All planned or unplanned absences from YLR MUST be reported to the YLR Director.
• The graduation ceremony is held during the evening in March. Parents are invited to attend the graduation event. Location TBA.

Class Schedule:
2026:
Opening Retreat - September 9
History Day - October 14
Human Needs Day - November 11
December - No class

2027:
Government Day - January 13
Communications Day - February 10
Graduation - March 3

You can reach the program coordinator, Alisha Byrd-Clark, at youthlead@rowanchamber.com, if you have any questions. Best of luck with your application!